The Washington critic., 1887-01-08

ANDREW JACKsoN's DAY.
Seventy.two years ago to-day the last
lattle of the war of 1912 was fought at
New Orleans, two weeks after the
treaty Of peace had been signed at
Client. Had there been submarine
telegraph between the two countries at
that time, the British would have
escaped one terrible thrashing and the
eighth of January would never have
leen commemoraied in honor Of An.
drew Jackson's victory
His name and fame, however would
have been scarcely less i,lustnous, for
valuable rs his military services were,
1t was In the walks of civil life and in
the discharge of the great trusts to
which he was subsequently called that
he achieved M Immortality Of renown,
The battle of New Orleans brought
him conspicuouslY before the country
and gave him u National distinction
which had an important benring upon
his political career, but the elements of
his character were too aggressive and
vigorous to hsvi long remained dor.
mant, even without the adyentitious
aid of military glory, and in due course
of time aud events would have laid
their strong grasp upon public affairs.
So that had Il not been the sth Of Jan.
uary VIC may rest assured that the
necessity would sooner or later have
misen for the designation by grateful
country Of some other day on which to
celebrate his prowess and honor his
memory.
The second and last term of General
Jackson's Presidency expired on the
Sd of March, 1887, and Mr.. Van Buren,
was inaugurated on the following day.
The occasion is thus graphically de-
scrlbed by Mr. Benton;
n day was beautiful-clcar sky, balmy
yernal sun, tranquil atmosphere the as.
semblage immense, The vast crowd re-
mained riveted to their places and pro-
foundly silent, until the ceremony of inaugu-
ration was over. II was the stiffness and
silence of reverence and affection; and there
was no room Tor mistake as to whom this
mute and impressive homage was rendered.
For once, the rising was cclipsed by the set
ting sun. Though disrObed Of power, and re
firing to the shades of private life, 1t was eyi'
dent that the great ox-Prosldent was the
absoi bng object of this intense regard. AT
the me ment he began to descend the broad
steps q the portico to take his seat In the
oren carriage which was to bear him away,
the deep reprcssed feeling Of the dense mas
broke forth acclamations and cheers b rst
ing from the heart and 6llng the gir-such a,
power never commanded, nor man In power
received II was the Affection. gratitude and
admiration OF lie living ige sulutlnG for the
last time great man 1t was the uc lain oI
posterity breaking from tho bosoms of con
temporarles 1t was the anticipation oi
futurlty-unpurcl lasg' 10 homage 10 the hero
patriot, who, ali his lie, and In uii cirUum
stances OF his HE, n rcico and war, ant
glorious IN each, had been the friend OF hi
country devoted TO her, regardless Of self
" Eight years aiterword be died at til,
Hermitage, IN the tull possession Of all hi
faculties, aud strong to tho last In the rulinl
passion Of his .oul-lJyo Of country.
We'll may the acclaim Of posterity
pay tribute to the virtues Of this bravt
and upright statesman, not merely t,
celebrate the anniversary of his sigma
triumph over an invading army, but il
recognition of his exemplary service
IS Chief Magistrate Of the country dur
ing one of the most trying and perilou
Ieriods in its history. Bitter as wcr,
the antagonisms he created by his fear
less and indomitable pursuit of wha
he believed 10 be right, there is NJ
American to-day but points with prid
TO his two administrations and woul,
deem 1t sacrilegc 10 eXpunge pag
from their record.
Nor was General Jackson the i'm
moderate partisan that he is so often an
enormously represented to be. Upo
the contrary, lie was the leader an
central figure of great public reforms
Even his election as President, MI
Benton says, was "a victory over tn
politicians" and so was every lead
ing event of his administration.
1t cannot he said or written of sue
man that lie was partisan in tn
narrow and offensive sense Of the tern
He simply held that the men by whor
he was surrounded, and in whom Ii
conilded, and for whom he was of
cially responsible, should be of tn
same way of thinking with himself
and animated, If possible, by an equal
intense devotion to the good of th
country. Civil service reform, in II
modern acceptation, was thing the
unknown. Jackson theory of the civl
service was simple and sincere, and W
doubt if it can ever be improved upor
The history Of his public life show
that it was effective in its applicatio
and honest in Its results.
THE Post this morning makes rool
for an astounding statement, which
forthwith proceeds to denounce as a
astounding canard, to the effect thi
the Pacific railroads have been di
tributing not less than $4,000, 900 {
late among various susceptible Men
bers of Congress, to secure their yot,
in favor of the Funding bill, Tn
startling information was wired frol
Washington to the New York N5a
yesterday. Whether il is n 'villainol
SANDER" as our esteemed conten
porary intimates, or whether 1t Ii
partial foundation in fact we are III
able to cay, 1t Is our impression
however, that the man who footed u
the amount of Doodle disbursed put
too many ciphers after the2. The fl
ures somewhat belle the market,